POSTED:
January 27 2017 23:41:37. By Keith Long
- United Produce Star-Studded Performance

On Saturday 21st January Beechfield United's First Team produced their best performance so far this season and were rewarded with a superb 5-2 away win over Hollinwood FC. Playing on an old style Astroturf Pitch Beechy were keen to go back home with a victory following two successive defeats. Beechy had a strong line-up on view but they were soon forced to produce some defending when Hollinwood attacked straight from the kick -off. United keeper Robert Harrison was quickly called in action and he dealt confidently with a long range effort from Hollinwood's number eight. A swift counter-attack down the right flank by United created a decent chance but after Rob Lockley played the ball across the area to Kurtis Lee the Beechy striker mishit his half volley.

The long ball tactic was a big feature of Hollinwood's match plan early in the contest and the home side opened the scoring after eleven minutes but two minutes later United were back level. Chris Ferris and Jamie Sinnott featured in a great move through midfield and after beating the offside trap Kurtis Lee coolly side footed the ball past the keeper. There was a frantic pace to the contest and Beechy went 2-1 up when in the 19th minute Rob Lockley and Alfie Belcher combined superbly and Kurtis Lee wrong footed the keeper as he fired the ball into corner of the net.

With several talented players in their team Hollinwood continually put pressure on United's back four and Carl Ravenscroft faced a tricky opponent who was always a threat via some mazy diagonal runs. Awarded numerous free kicks Hollinwood went close several times to making it 2-2 but Beechy frustrated their opponents with more first-class defending and United added their third goal on thirty five minutes. Several Hollinwood players hotly disputed the referees decision to award Beechy a penalty following what he deemed to be a clear foul on Kurtis Lee who completed his hat trick via a well executed spot-kick. Hollinwood respond in a positive manner and briefly enjoying more of the ball put the pressure back onto United and Robert Harrison rescued Beechy with two great saves in quick succession.

When the second half kicked-off Hollinwood dominated possession and moving the ball around with real menace forced some vital defending from United's well organised back four of Andrzej Browne, Patrick Beckett, Gary Wallis and Carl Ravenscroft. Beechy slowly got a foothold in the match and in the 55th minute Steve Erskine angled a fine pass to Alfie Belcher who delivered an accurate long ball into the path of Kurtis Lee but on this occasion United's hat trick hero couldn't supply the required finish. A few minutes later Kurtis was replaced by Mike Phythian who found himself operating in a right sided midfield role. On the hour mark a quick counter-attack ended when the Hollinwood keeper committed a blatant foul on Alfie Belcher and the referee had no hesitation in awarding Beechy their second penalty of the afternoon.

This time the responsibility of the taking the spot-kick was with Mike Phythian who made no mistake as he easily scored United's fourth goal. The frantic pace to the match never relented and playing with real confidence United's teamwork and high fitness level were key factors in this terrific display. Producing more excellent defending Beechy restricted Hollinwood to having shots from distance and on one occasion Robert Harrison was in action making a first-class fingertip save. An effort by Hollinwood's number ten bounced back into play off the post during another powerful attacking surge from the hosts. Following a free kick Hollinwood reduced the arrears via their number nine who was left unmarked to score with a glancing header.

But straight from the restart United produced a instant reply with a superb fifth goal courtesy of a classic move involving Jamie Sinnott, Chris Ferris and Alfie Belcher who's emphatic finish completed the scoring and put the seal on a brilliant all-round team display. Patrick Beckett and Alfie Belcher shared the Man of the Match Award.